Needing to "trim the fat"

If I had the past week to “do over” I honestly wouldn’t change anything I did inside the classroom. My change would be all of the stuff I have to handle when I am not teaching. I heard it 100 times before I entered the world of education, “I would be a great teacher if they would just let me teach”, and I am definitely feeling that way. I have been pulled in several different directions and I feel that I have allowed myself to get taken advantage of in a way. In my coaching role I have somehow been put in charge of creating the athletic practice schedule for ALL fall sports. In my role as an advisor I have filled up my plate with t-shirt orders, after school events, and budgeting paperwork (not a strong skill of mine). In my new position on the Homecoming committee I have taken on a few more projects than I wanted to and I am now feeling overwhelmed by that. And finally, in my role as the teacher in charge of the morning announcement show, I have found myself in a miniature battle of sorts with administration. I don’t mean to complain, because I honestly love what I do, but as I reflect on my mistakes of the week, I now see that I need to learn how to say no, and just focus on what I want to do, which is teach!

My Schedule

I am getting a little absent minded lately. I find myself forgetting to do things I normally do with no problem. I blame it on my busy schedule. I have my teaching responsibilities, then I also have the many requests that come in from my co-workers and administrators. It sometimes feels as if they don't realize I actually have to teach a course also. They constantly walk into my room during my class to ask for jobs, sometimes I'm in the middle of instruction.

Then I coach as well. I recently finished my freshman football season only to begin my wrestling season. I enjoy coaching and it usually is no problem, however this year another twist has been added. The head coach of our middle school team also coaches varsity football and since our team has made the playoffs we have no one to coach that team. So after school I run over to the middle school and coach the middle school team.

I also have my NTI course load. I think I am finally up to date with most of it, except this blog assignment. Then I have my church life. I am involved at my church and I enjoy that also.

First, and foremost I am a husband and father of two girls. I have to find time for them also. I think that I am finally getting the hang of it and I think the key is realizing how much time is actually in a day and that I have more time than I realize. I also am just trying to hold on until February, wrestling season ends and I go home at the normal time. I guess this is helping me to multi task and schedule better because I now need to.

Fifteen second delay!!!

The stuff that comes out of my mouth sometimes even scares me. My wife told me to wait fifteen seconds before I reply to anyone’s comments. I use to be so silver tongued and witty. Today one of the coaches asked if I would coach the JV soccer team. I did not use the fifteen second rule. All I could think about was when I coached a girls soccer team. I remembered how much fun it was competing and traveling to the tournaments. So I said, “Yes.” When I arrived home and told my wife she used the fifteen second rule. She stared at me and said, “When, where, and how will I find the time to fit this into my schedule.” Well let’s see, nine hours at GSU, teaching extended day, two soccer games a week, soccer practice, and a few scrimmages sounds easy to me. Do we have mental health insurance?

Life keeps happening.....

The past two weeks have been REALLY out of the ordinary. First, we had my daughter's wedding in Murphy, NC. The wedding was beautiful and everything went well. Just lots of stress trying to get everything done the week before, and then traveling to NC. My little husband will be 78 yrs. old on Nov 18. He doesn't travel very well and the wedding hoopla was a bit much for him. But we got through it all OK.

Then Wednesday, Halloween, my daughter missed the bottom step coming down stairs at my other daughter's house and took a bad fall. She thought both ankles were broken, but after some time in the ER and some X-Rays, they determined that she had severely sprained both ankles, but no broken bones that could be seen. Both ankles were wrapped with ACE bandages. She said she was grateful that it happened the Wednesday after the wedding and not the Wednesday before.

Yesterday, Saturday, my daughter's 14 yr old daughter (my granddaughter) was a passenger in a pick-up truck on I-285. The truck was sitting still, when another pick-up truck came up from behind going about 70 mph and plowed into the truck. They took my granddaughter to Egleston Children's Hospital. After some time in the ER and X-Rays, my granddaughter was OK. She was more frightened than anything else. She has a whip-lash, but no broken bones anywhere. The police and doctor told her it was a good thing she had her seat belt on, it kept her from getting a more serious injury. By the time my daughter got to the hospital, her ankles were really painful. So the staff at Egleston got her a wheelchair to be with my granddaughter.

Everybody is back home safe and sound now. Last Saturday a wedding. This Saturday a bad scare. This was more terrifying for us because we lost my oldest granddaughter in a terrible traffic accident 3 yrs ago. She was 18yrs old. A senior in high school. (My other daughter's child.) It happened the day before Thanksgiving. My heart just sank when I got the call this Saturday. But, thank God, everything is OK. We have 11 grandchildren. Eight are boys and only 3 are girls. We love them all dearly. With one girl already in heaven, we didn't want to lose another one.....

Maybe this week will be dull and uneventful. Ha! Ha! I am sure ready for a rest. And a little less stress....
Connie

Not enough time in a day

One step forward, and several steps backward,
Man! I thought I was getting ahead in school work. I got all of my assignment graded now I need to enter them in the computer. I have a parent conference 3:45 it goes until 5:00. The softball team needs a bus driver to take them to Lost Mtn to play in a tournament. The team lost. The time is 7:30 when I get back to school. Well do I stay and enter grades, or do I go home. What ever happen to when you put in a days work, you get a days pay! are there any more 8 to 5 jobs out there.

Observation and Everything Else

Today, I was observed by my principal. He came in unannounced at the beginning of 2nd block. I think everything went well. We will have a post-observation meeting soon to discuss how it went. The students were really great once they realized we were being observed. The only thing that I would change, if I knew ahead of time is the subject. I was teaching on cultures today. That is probably the one subject that I know the least about and feel the most insecure about. However, I think it went okay.
It seems that when it rains it pours. I am having an advisory board meeting tonight from 6-8. I am already anxious about that. Yesterday, we started clinical rotations at the hospital; you want your students to do well and be on their best behavior. I also had a MD appt. right after-school yesterday. I have company at my house this week (my husband's parents). I keep thinking that my life is going to slow down, but being 33 weeks pregnant I don't think that will happen anytime soon. I guess this is the life of a mom, wife, teacher, student etc....

Tired

I've been reading the blogs too. Seems like a lot of us have had a tough week. Guess the honeymoon for this school year is officially over. Ha! Ha!

I have been as tired as I've ever been this week. Just worn out. We had spirit week, and while that was a lot of fun, it was also very stressful. The SGA kids had a lock-in last Saturday and worked hard decorating the hallways. When the students got there on Monday, within the first hour they had mutilated some of the decorations, and generally were trying to trash the school. Our principal had to intervene on several occasions. I would say the majority of kids were enjoying themselves and having a good time. But it is those handsful of students who seem to just be trouble-makers and want to spoil things for everyone.

Anyway, I am glad this week is over. To make matters worse, one 16yr old boy who went to our school last year and for a few days this year, was in a terrible wreck. He died Thursday evening at Grady. His girlfriend is in my 2nd period class. His funeral will be Monday at 4:30pm, so I am sure lots of our students will be attending. I didn't know him but lots of the students knew him. Our principal is trying to decide if we need the grief counselors to come to our school since the student was not officially enrolled at our school now. I think we should. We will see what the decision is on Monday.

I have been just wiped out this weekend. I don't think anyone could possibly tell new teachers about how physically, mentally, and emotionally draining teaching is. Teaching is truly the hardest job I have ever had....

Connie

Overwhelmed

This week has been hard. I feel like I can't get anything accomplished. Every night I dream about school and it is wearing me out. I wish I could get to the point that I can not worry so much about everything. I am trying to balance my life between my job reponsibilities, my house and family, my students, HOSA organization, and going to NTI. I am looking forward to the time when I can look back and say "Awe, that wasn't so bad." I deffinitely don't feel that way now. I'm just overwhelmed but I know that "This too, shall pass."

INFP

As you can see, I need the heat on me to get things done. I did get a lot done this weekend. The house is clean and clothes washed. But no lesson plans completely done. So I am up everyday at 4:30 am completing them and this blog. You all looked great. It was nice seeing you this week. Everyone have a new week. INFP

One long week

I am back to being overwhelmed again. I had three meetings during my planning this week. If teachers had time to plan think of what we could accomplish. I have been trying to get HOSA going, getting an advisory committee together, registering students for the FLC, working on monthly logs for extended day and we just got a grant to renovate my classroom and lab. I am taking papers home with me this weekend to grade just so maybe Monday I can get my week planned. When I think about all I need to do at work and at home I just want to cry. Maybe next week won't be so hectic. Jamie

Key Train

As if we don't have enough to do, just trying to get the hang of teaching! We are one of the schools involved in the Work Ready Communities project, and will will need to demonstrate how in CATE we are incorporating the core academic areas into our teaching! I shouldn't open my mouth too much about it...I just need to go back to my school inbox and teach myself from the numerous memos...thrill. I wanted to teach at Baldwin High as the principal seemed very progressive, so this is what I like, right?

The Week From You Know Where

This has been the week from you know where! We had Homecoming week, graduation testing, and the end of our first six weeks. In HOSA we made a float for our homecoming parade and it got destroyed by the storm friday night. I am so tired. I had my evaluation this week which turned out to be a good experience. Jennifer was so encouraging. She is great! On top of everything, my daughter got a virus and was sick all week. I felt so sorry for her. My husband stayed home with her because I didn't have any sick days left. I am so thankful he could do that. She is better. Just in time for our fall break. We get a week off this week." Hallellujah" as Esther says. That is one good thing about this job. I didn't get this much paid time off as a Dental Hygienist or Nurse. I am going to use this week to catch up on grades and clean my house. I am sooo behind on everything.

Man, what a week!

Stress has definitely taken its toll the last couple of weeks. Between trying to keep the insanity out of my classroom and trying to get enrolled in this classroom I have kept myself at wits end. However, my students are picking up a great deal! Its nice to see some of the hard work already paying off. I look forward to seeing my Saturday bunch.......this Saturday!!!! Peace out!

Just Plain Tired

School has just started and I am already tired. With this being my third year, I thought I would be prepared. The summer session really helped with getting organized. I thought I would be prepared for the students, but this group has been overwhelming. No one wants to do anything. The students before told everyone how much fun the class was, but forgot to tell them all the work required. They think they already know everything.

Oh, did I mention the gang issues. It's worst than last year. Each week it's something new. Some of the students are afraid to come to school because of the threats; the administrators don't communicate; the teachers don't communicate. I hope some of you are having a better time.

Mortissa

Crazy Week

Hi everyone! This has been one crazy week. This is our fourth week of school and this is the first week that I have really felt overwhelmed.
I have really enjoyed teaching so far this year. Because of NTI, things have been so much better! The problem that I am experiencing is that the counselors of my school keep putting students in my class and expect me to catch them up on 4 weeks worth of material. I have already given a project, daily work and a test. Just about everyday I get a new student. Some are moving in from out of state and have not been in school and others just simply want to be in my class. I don't mind but, I do not have the time to go back and reteach everything. I am also trying to get my HOSA members together, paid and ready for Fall Leadership Conference.
Like I said it has been crazy. If it was not for the fact that I love my students, I would think I was crazy for teaching! It seems that my students are better behaved this year. One of my students that I had last year commented that she is proud of me. She said she that she can see a big difference, that I seem more organized. I definitely took it as a compliment.

Hello Everyone,
Well my 1st period class has been decreased from 49 students to about 30. I am struggling with trying to get some order since the decrease. Most of the students have been placed in Health Science against their will. So trying to get them interested is a "CHALLENGE ". I will continue to plug along with them. Take care.
Julia

Project deadline

Well, this week went better than anticipated. I had the students research a career they were interested in and then create a brochure with all of the requested information. I gave them two days to complete the project and found that was not quite enough time. A few students turned in their brochures on Thursday but the rest finished theirs in class on Friday. It definitely helped having a project with a firm deadline to keep them busy and focused. Of course, I still had to keep them on track at times because they wanted to talk about their plans or share their packing list for their beach trip.

I do have to say that I think I was more ready for this break than they were. Lately, I've started to wonder if I'm in the right career. I'm so overwhelmed with my classroom and all the many tasks that go with it that I'm missing out on life with my family and friends. The past couple of weeks have been really hard for some reason. I've already signed my contract so now I'm committed to one more year. I sure hope that next year goes better. If not, I'm really considering going back to industry just so that I will feel some kind of peace in my life. Right now, my life is a roller coaster and I'm ready to jump off at any cost. Has anyone ever felt this way?

Whew! What a week!

Friday was supposed to be a teacher planning day, but had to be turned into a weather make up day because of the tornado's last week. As of this school year so far we have not had a single planning day. With this AYP situation and Industry Certification there just does not seem to be enough time for it all. These late evenings and weekends are really taking it's toll on me. I worked on 100% commission for over 25 years in the industry and made a very good living. I actually thought I knew what time management was.
In the service world and then on commission as well you had to plan your every move to survive. In this world of education I feel like a fish floundering around out of water. How does everyone make time to do it all and not let something or someone fall by the wayside? A lot of stress and challenges came from different directions this week. I woke up this morning realizing that I used to be on top of my game and now I'm not (yet)! Hey but I'm still chipping away at the stone for now.

Timing is everything

Stop and smell the coffee.
Below is the message we received before going on Winter break

All teachers need to attend the GPS Career Pathway training being offered via the "CTAE Resource Network"
“It is CRITICAL that teachers register for these classes as only 25 participants are allowed to register for each class. Although there are multiple locations and sessions being offered, teachers should enroll in the class that requires the least amount of travel time.”

Now we have to sign up for more training classes. We have barely reached the completion of the NTI program and now in the middle of semester we have to change the pathways of our courses. I do understand that training is essential and change is eminent. But the timing just never seems to be right. Things are getting a bit hectic right about now. Someone may need to throw me a life line. My scheduled activities continues to grow at an accelerated pace and everything is a priority. Yesterday, I was informed the Information Technology teachers of the county are scheduled for computer lab training Wednesday, followed by an articulation work meeting next Thursday. By the way, I smell more coffe brewing.

"Just Say No To Drugs", Faculty and Administrators

My thinking at this point in time is to scream out STOP!! As the studio and control room get closer to being finished, everybody and their brother wants some sort of video project to be completed for their class or curriculum. I am still unable to transmit from our control room to the whole school. But, I constantly hear "what have you done for me lately". Many fellow teachers encourage me to say "no". Bless the heart of my Department Chairperson. She tells me that Mr. Shaw (our Principal) needs to be reminded that I am not certified yet, taking college courses and training in a studio, control room and production switcher environment. So I will spend this 3 day weekend totally ignoring my NTI responsibilities so I can concentrate on pleasing everyone at Lassiter. Just kidding Dr. B and Jessie!